70-30-103 What property may be taken

MontanaStatutes

Ask Donna

How this section applies to your facts.

MT Code › Title 70 › Chapter 30 › Part 1 › Section 70-30-103

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

70-30-103 . What property may be taken. (1) The property that may be taken under this chapter includes:

(a) all real property belonging to any person;

(b) land that belongs to this state or to any county, city, or town and that is not appropriated to some public use;

(c) property appropriated to a public use, but the property may not be taken unless for a more necessary public use than that to which it has already been appropriated;

(d) franchises for roads, bridges, and ferries and all other franchises; but the franchises may not be taken unless for free highways, free bridges, railroads, or another more necessary public use; or

(e) a right-of-way for any public use mentioned in 70-30-102 and any structures and improvements on the right-of-way. The land held and used in connection with the right-of-way must be subject to being connected with, crossed, or intersected by any other right-of-way improvements or structures on the right-of-way. The improvements or structures must also be subject to a limited use in common with the owner of the improvements or structures when necessary. However, the uses, crossings, intersections, and connections must be made in the manner that is most compatible with the greatest public benefit and least private injury.

(2) All classes of private property not enumerated may be taken for public use when the taking is authorized by law.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.